Loire Valley
Private Experiences and Tours
Just a short distance from Paris, the Loire Valley spans 280 kilometers and is located in the middle of the Loire River…France’s longest river. It was the region of choice for royalty and nobles to build towering castles and immense hunting lodges. Today, 42 Loire chateaux are part of UNESCO. It is a gastronomic paradise with its vegetables, meats and cheeses. Loire is also home to impressive vineyards well-known for their still and sparkling whites, red and rose wines. There are more than 60 wine appellations in Loire Valley including Sancerre, Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur, Muscadet, Cheverny and Pouilly-Fume.
We are very excited to share exclusive and authentic experiences that we’ve uncovered in Loire Valley for your clients! Below are some examples that we can include in their custom-designed vacation adventure!
CHATEAUX
Château de Chambord
One of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its distinctive architecture and emblematic roofs. A true jewel of the Renaissance, the architecture blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. Climb Da Vinci's double-helix staircase, explore over 60 rooms filled with vaulted ceilings and carved salamanders, and stroll through 17 acres of formal French gardens restored to their 18th-century blueprint.
Château de Chenonceau
Known as the "Ladies' Castle" due to the influential women who shaped its history. It was designed in an unlikely collaboration between King Henry II's mistress (Diane de Poitiers) and his wife (Catherine de' Medici).Château de Chenonceau is famous for its extravagant white stone façade and grey slate roofs. Its architecture incorporates both Gothic and Renaissance features. Chenonceau was the local aristocracy's place to see and be seen in the 16th century.
Private Tour of Leonardo da Vinci’s Life in Loire Valley
In 1516, King Francis I invited 64-year-old Leonardo da Vinci to leave Italy and relocate to Château du Clos Lucé. Da Vinci brought with him three of his masterpieces: The Mona Lisa, the Saint Anne, and the Saint John the Baptist, as well as his notebooks and manuscripts. This manor house was Leonardo da Vinci's final residence and workshop, featuring the inventions and engineering models of the Renaissance genius from his arrival in France to his death. The king appointed da Vinci was “the first painter, engineer and architect of the king.” The Royal Château of Amboise is an elegant Renaissance château, built on the site of an old fortress overlooking the Loire River and the medieval city of Amboise. The château houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert. The largest chateau in the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chambord showcases the double helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The staircase consists of two interlocking but independent spirals, so that it is possible for two people to use the different sets of staircases at the same time. They can see each other going up or down, but they never meet.
Loire Valley Chateaux Garden Tour
Known as the Garden of France, Loire Valley chateaux showcase some of the world’s most beautiful gardens. Visit France's most extraordinary garden paradise, recognized by UNESCO World Heritage, where distinct gardens create a living tapestry of Renaissance design. From the ornamental kitchen garden to the water garden to the herb gardens. From the music garden to the gardens of love, Villandry’s six hectares of gardens are highly structured and symbolic. The gardens, often considered the pinnacle of Renaissance design, were created by Francois I’s finance minister. Unlike the grand and geometric designs of the Villandry gardens, those at Chenonceau are more romantic and influenced by two women: Diane de Poitiers (the King Henri II’s mistress) and Catherine de Medici (the King Henri II’s wife). Diane’s garden is larger and more dramatic. It features terraces above the Cher River to protect it from floods, along with vast lawns, elaborate cut-flower gardens, lavender, and shrubs. Catherine de Medici’s Garden is elegant and geometric. It has ornamental pools, fountains, and symmetrical flowerbeds planted with seasonal blooms that change throughout the year. Both gardens supply the chateau with daily flowers that are used for the lavish floral arrangements Chenonceau is known for.
Loire Valley: The Cradle of the French Renaissance
The French Renaissance, which influenced art, architecture, landscaping, religion and philosophy, began in Loire and was fueled by King Francis I’s passion for Italian art. In fact, he invited several Italian artists, including Leonardo Da Vinci, to move to France to serve the King's Court. Visit a Loire chateau where you will learn about this architectural transformation. After lunch, visit da Vinci’s home during his time in France. Learn about his legacy and how his innovations were ahead of his time. Close the day with a visit to a chateau that transformed the use and designs of castle gardens.
Loire Valley’s Most Influential Women
For three centuries, powerful women in Loire Valley had a major impact on both royalty and cultural norms. Visit two Loire chateaux where six women including Joan of Arc, Agnes Sorel and Diana the Huntress had their greatest impact on history.
WINE
Private Full-Day Wine Tour in Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé
Visit a family estate in the Sancerre area where you will taste sauvignon blanc and pinot noir wines, typical for this appellation. Your next step is an organic winery where you will taste both organic wines and some made from older vines. Enjoy either a three-course meal at a winery or gourmet picnic in the vineyard with paired wines. In the afternoon, visit one of the most important producers in the appellation. Enjoy a tasting of Sancerre, Pouilly Fume and other Sauvignon Blanc wines paired with local cheese.
Private Full-Day Wine Tour: Vouvray, Bourguiel and Chinon
Visit three types of vineyards — family-run, biodynamic and organic — in the Vouvray, Bourguiel and Chinon wine appellations. You will learn how sparkling wine is made and will taste a variety of Vouvray types (sparkling, still, sweet and dry) and an extensive tasting of organic red wines. For lunch, enjoy a gastronomic picnic that is paired with wines produced with different grape varieties.
Private Full-Day Wine Tour: Amboise, Touraine Chenonceau and Cheverny
Visit a family estate and two biodynamic wineries in the Amboise, Touraine Chenonceau and Cheverny wine appellations. Broaden your palate via a tasting that reflects the Touraine grape varieties. Discover the unique grape variety known as Romorantin. And enjoy a three-course lunch of local organic foods that are paired with organic and natural wines.
Private Chocolate & Wine Pairing Experience
Visit a domaine in the heart of the Chinon wine appellation that is collaborates with a Loire Valley artisan chocolatier. During this guided tasting, you will enjoy what some may call an alignment of the stars — chocolate and wine! Taste 7 wines paired with 7 handmade chocolate palets.
Cheese & Wine Pairing Session
Visit a cheese shop where you will taste a selection of cheeses each paired with delicious Loire Valley wines, such as Sancerre and Chinon. This tasting serves as a full meal with the addition of charcuterie, salad and dessert.
Gourmet Lunch and Wine Tasting at a Vineyard
Visit a 32-hectare estate that produces natural wines from appellations including Touraine-Amboise and Vouvray. Their range of wines use grapes like Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Malbec. Following a tour, enjoy a three-course tasting lunch.
Gourmet Lunch and Wine Tasting at a Vineyard
Visit a 32-hectare estate that produces natural wines from appellations including Touraine-Amboise and Vouvray. Their range of wines use grapes like Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Malbec. Following a tour, enjoy a three-course tasting lunch.
Gastronomic Lunch on a Traditional Boat on
the Loire River
See beautiful landscape and chateaux during a two-hour cruise with a captain, who also happens to be a winemaker! Enjoy a full gastronomic lunch while experiencing a large wine tasting.
Wine Tasting & Cruise on a Traditional Wooden Boat
Enjoy a private cruise on either the Loire or Cher river where you will taste three different wines paired with local delicacies.
COOKING CLASSES
Michelin-Starred Cooking Class
Join a double Michelin-starred chef for a traditional cooking class followed by a delicious lunch with wine.
Private French Cuisine Immersion Class
Enjoy a hands-on cooking class where you will not only learn about gastronomy techniques, but also about local traditions and ingredients. You will prepare a three-course meal (starter, main dish with side, and dessert) and will enjoy a delicious lunch highlighting the fruits of your labor.
Private French Bread Baking Workshops
How many times have you wished you could enjoy a baguette after returning home from a French vacation? Now you have a chance to learn the secret to creating them! In this private class, you will choose your preferred bread (traditional French baguettes, croissants or pain au chocolat), and you will learn the detailed creation process, from start to finish.
Private French Pastry-Making Classes
In this private workshop, you will learn how to make a decadent French dessert…choosing from iconic desserts such as Paris-Brest, lemon tarts, chocolate tarts, cream puffs or custard flan.
LOCAL DELICACIES
Hunting for Black Gold
Work with Loire’s pre-eminent truffle farmer and his highly trained Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to hunt for what’s known as black gold. France recognized his truffle farm as the country’s first due to the quantity and diversity of its truffle species! Tour his truffle tree orchard and enjoy a private hunt where you will also learn how to avoid purchasing fake French truffles. Enjoy a truffle tasting with Chinon wine in the farmer’s old cellar.
Food Tour & Market Visit
Visit some of Tour’s top food shops and discover its covered market. Taste local delicacies from artisans classified as Meilleur Ouvrier de France, or MOF. The competition designates the “best craftsman of France” and the MOF title is awarded only to the best of the best.
The Unexpected Invention of Triple Sec
One of France’s leading liqueur producers actually started as a chocolatier, adding orange liqueur to enhance the flavor of their chocolates. Customers loved their liqueur so much, they shifted business models to focus solely on producing flavored liqueurs. In fact, they are THE inventor of Triple Sec! See where they produce ALL of their liqueurs for world consumption (you’ll be shocked by how small the distillery is). Taste samples from their expansive line of liqueurs and syrups and learn how to make a few trendy cocktails.
ADVENTURE
Private Hot Air Balloon Rides
Treat yourself to breathtaking views of Loire Valley landscapes at dawn or dusk. Board your private basket and enjoy a glass of champagne while taking in all the sites! The total experience — balloon preparation and inflation — lasts 3 hours, with 1 hour of actual flight.
Private Bike Tours
These private guided tours are completely customizable…from the length of time (2-hours to multi-days), the type of bike (hybrid-bikes, tandem, children’s bikes, etc.), the route (one-way or roundtrip), and to possible stops along the route (boat or chateaux tours, etc.). Meals can also be arranged, from a picnic to a restaurant.
Convertible Classic Car Vineyard Tour
Meet two wine growers and discover their vineyard in a beautiful convertible classic car! Taste their organic wines as well as their old vintages.
WORLD WAR II
Protecting French Art and Wine from the Nazis
We take you behind the scenes of the book and movie, The Monuments Men. You will visit the chateau, which became the processing center and main depository for national collections from museums such as the Louvre, Versailles, and Elysée Palace. Learn how France organized the evacuation of priceless artwork, how it was preserved, and where the art was actually stored. Enjoy lunch in a medieval neighborhood that was miraculously spared from war bombings. Visit a museum that displays recovered paintings stolen from Jewish families by the Nazis. Discover the challenge to find the legitimate owners or heirs of these works of art. Lastly, visit a Vouvray vineyard that like many winemakers, hid its best wine underground during the war.
